Germany's Failed Mid-Engine Sports Car Was Powered By A VR6 Engine
Quick Links
- Quick Facts About The Artega GT
- Help From Fisker
There have been tons of failed start-ups over the course of automotive history. It's understandable why, when you think about it, because nearly every gearhead has dreamed of creating their own car or car company at some point and having the autonomy to create whatever sort of car they can imagine. However, here in the real world, things are a bit more grounded, and one person's dream may not necessarily be a dream of the masses. Just look at models such as the Fisker Karma.
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Fisker Karma Sedan
One such failed start-up came from Germany near the end of the 2000s. The company was called Artega, and their one production model, the GT, only sold just over 150 units, despite initially aiming for a 500-unit-per-year target. A few factors played into its demise, and while some were out of Artega's control, hindsight is always 20/20. From our comfortable chairs nearly 16 years later, let's unravel the story and untimely demise of the Artega GT.
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The following article is our own summary of the Artega GT and its path to doom, supplemented with information gathered from archival press materials.
The Artega GT: Germany's Hopeful Tesla Roadster Rival
Quick Facts About The Artega GT
- Produced between 2009 and 2012
- Only 153 were produced for sale
- Utilized a Volkswagen 3.6L VR6 motor
2011 Artega GT White Front Angle
The GT was Artega Automotive's debut model, just three years after the company was founded by a man called Klaus Dieter Frers. In essence, the Artega GT was destined to do direct battle with Tesla's Roadster, along with the Fisker Karma, a then-up-and-coming hybrid sports sedan. It featured a 3.6-liter VR6 engine from Volkswagen's VR engine family that was based on the motors found in models such as the Volkswagen Passat R36.
2011 Artega GT Tan Interior Front Cabin
Production of the Artega GT began in 2009, and at the time, Frers set a preliminary production target of 500 units per year. A brand-new factory was constructed in Delbrück, Germany, for the Artega GT's production. By late 2008, the shiny new factory was ready, and production of the GT commenced shortly after. Sales were slated to begin in spring, 2009. UUnfortnuately, Artega's dreams of 500 GTs a year were quickly squashed.
Help From Fisker
Despite being a direct competitor, Fisker had a hand in the Artega GT's design. Henrik Fisker, founder of the now-teetering Fisker company, was consulted for the Artega GT project due to his past experience designing cars such as the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. While he didn't play a major role in the GT's design and development, his influence is seen throughout the entire car, but most notably in its exterior.
The Ins And Outs Of The Artega GT's VW Heart
Classic-Trader.com
The Artega GT's Volkswagen-sourced heart wasn't necessarily a nuclear bomb, but it certainly got the job done with the modestly priced Artega GT. VW's history with the VR6 engine is a rather long one, beginning back in 1991 with its introduction in the VW Passat B3 sedan. Artega, being based in Germany, was looking for a lightweight motor with a reasonably large power potential, but that also boasted a small overall footprint, in order to better fit in the Artega GT's small mid-mounted engine compartment.
We'll take a look at the Artega GT's detailed specs below:
Engine | 3.6L NA VW VR6 |
|---|---|
Horsepower | 296 hp |
Torque | 260 lb-ft |
0-60 mph | 4.5 seconds |
1/4 Mile Time | 12.8 seconds |
Top Speed | 170 mph |
Curb Weight | 2,460 lbs |
Starting Price (2009) | ~$100,000 / €74,948 (W/ Taxes Included) |
*Specs courtesy of archival Artega press material and Supercars.net
On top of its VR6 powerhouse, the Artega also boasted quite a few sports car-like accouterments. Its frame was described as a spaceframe, and utilized an aluminum construction combined with high-test steel and composite materials in order to save as much weight as possible. This method of construction was, according to Artega, easy to repair if necessary. The GT also employed the use of a rear-mounted air diffuser.
"A combination of materials from racing, namely aluminum spaceframe, high-strength steels and carbon fiber reinforced composite materials, means that the Artega®GT weighs just 1,285 kilograms despite its extensive standard equipment. This makes the sports car one of the lightweights in its class."
– Official Artega Press Release
The Artega GT was reportedly designed to be a keen driving machine, while also offering a good bit of comfort for times when you're just cruising the Autobahn in your spare time, turning it into a usable everyday sports car. The chassis was designed with a wider-than-expected track and a long wheelbase. Its center of gravity was kept low, thanks in part to the GT's use of the Volkswagen VR6 engine. Bilstein shocks were installed on all four corners of the GT, as well.
A Quick And Decisive Failure
2008 Arteg GT Silver Front Angle
Production of the Artega GT was slow right from the start. Unlike Frers's initial 500-units-per-year production target, the real production totals after three years sat quite a lot lower. Things were bad for Artega, and by 2012, the company filed for bankruptcy. In order to salvage Artega's efforts, it was bought by German automotive supplier firm Paragon AG, who ended up giving numerous Artega employees new jobs in the company.
Shortly after the buyout, production of the Artega GT ceased at the end of September 2012. While Paragon AG promised to continue to offer service and parts sales to Artega GT owners, there has been no mention of the Artega GT being brought back into production. Considering nearly 13 years have elapsed since then, it's safe to assume the Artega GT is dead for good. Thus ends the Artega GT's short, rather tragic life.
Some Other Artega Models
2015 Artega Scalo Orange Front Angle
The Artega GT wasn't the end of Artega, although it may as well have been. After the Paragon AG buyout, a few years elapsed before the automotive world heard anything about Artega again. However, in 2015, it announced the Scalo, a battery-electric sports car with Artega GT-like looks and a 402-horsepower powertrain. Following the Scalo was the Scalo Superelletra, which we reported on at the time - a lengthened and lightened version of the Scalo, also featuring all-electric power that had been bumped up to a maximum of 1,020 horsepower.
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In an abrupt change of pace from its sporting nature, Artega came out with something called the Karo-Isetta, a quadricycle that boasted a 0-50 mph time of just 4.5 seconds. You may have seen the Isetta before, just not an Artega version. It had just enough room to carry a driver plus one passenger, along with a selection between a few different power levels ranging from 5.3 kW up to 17 kW. The reasoning behind having differing power levels was, according to Artega, to attract drivers from all backgrounds and skill levels.
Artega went under yet again in 2022, and was then saved again by a company called ElectircBrands. Their aim was to begin production on the little Isetta, which they've now renamed the Evette, a play on the word "EV" with "vette" put at the end to emphasize its tiny nature.
Sources: Artega, Supercars.net, Auto Motor und Sport.
